articles

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Articles are linked to and occur hefore the noun. Thus, it is: "an idea", "the idea", "the ideas".

The indefinite article (a, an) occurs before singular, countable nouns, but never occurs before plural, countable nouns -- "a student" but not "a students". In addition, the indefinite article does not occur before unmodified noncount nouns -- not "a air".

The definite article (the) may occur before singular countable nouns, plural countable nouns, and noncount nouns -- "the student", "the students", and "the air".

We use a / an (for singular countable nouns) when we think the listener or reader
WONT know which thing or person we are talking about. We use the when we
think the person listening WILL know which thing or person we mean.

Its not important if the person who is speaking knows which one. The important
thing is if the person who is listening knows or not. For example:

• I bought a blue sweater yesterday (the speaker knows which sweater, but the
listener doesnt, so we use a).

• We went to a lovely café (the speaker knows which one but the listener
doesnt, so we use a).

Sometimes the person who is speaking doesnt know which one exactly (and neither
does the listener). Instead, the speaker is talking about any member of a certain group
 it doesnt matter which one. We still use a/an, because the listener doesnt know
which one. For example:

I'd like a cup of tea (the speaker doesnt know which one, neither does the
listener. It doesnt matter which particular cup of tea).

I need to see a doctor (any doctor, neither the listener nor the speaker are
thinking about a particular doctor).

Could you pass me a pen please? (any pen, the speaker doesnt know which one).

The listener might know which one we mean because weve already talked about the thing in our conversation (or piece of writing).

I bought an apple and an orange. The apple was delicious.

We use an apple and an orange at first because we think the person listening wont
know which apple or which orange we are talking about.

But the second (or third or fourth ) time we talk about something, we can use the
because the listener knows which one. He or she knows because weve already said
which one  its the apple that I bought yesterday and not another apple.

Idea is a singular countable noun. I will suggest you an idea.

Ideas is a plural countable noun. I will suggest you some ideas.

The idea you suggested me last night was not practicable. (Talking about the particular idea)